Personal effects

[Top Croc]

I purchased a house in HH in June this year. Several people have mentioned that I have 6 months to get my personal effects into Thailand duty free.

How is this time frame worked, is it:

From the date of house transfer

From the date of issue of one year visa

From the date of arrival on that trip

[PET]

Unless you have a work permit you will need a Non-Immigrant ''O'' visa, and the goods must arrive within six months of your first arrival in Thailand with the non-immigrant visa.

Goods must come from your previous country of residence and must be used items - not new.

[Super Joe]

Something to be wary of Top Croc, when we shipped our furniture out Thai customs at the port refused to release it until we transferred by ATM 10k Baht as they said we had more than one item of electrical goods type, which in our case was TV's. Not sure if this is the rules or not but they would not budge.

I was then moaning to the missus that the two-bob bedroom portable TV was not even worth 10,000 and she reminded me that we'd not packed it but gave it to my sister. Turns out the second 'TV' was the monitor on a very old desktop PC, Doh!

But anyway, point is if there's more than one TV, computer, stereo, DVD player, fridge etc they may try and charge you rightly or wrongly.

SJ

[mr lonely]

3 years ago I was told exactly the same thing but the guy at this end was quite clear that this was 'tea money'. failure to pay the tea money meant the customs guys would "have to check everything and this take time, then they make you pay storage charge".
Smile and pay up. This is Thailand !!

[moja]

When we moved out here our moving company presented us with a huge amount of paperwork concerning Thai customs and very clearly stated in it was that for electrical items only one of each was allowed; any more and they would be liable for customs duty. It was also stated that said electrical items should not be new either.

[mr lonely]

All my paperwork ready for customs was done in Uk by the removal company as they packed so they so they had an inventory ready for Thai customs so I guess that avoided a lot of the problems. There was only the odd thing that they said you cannot take into Thailand.
Payment of the tea money secured next day delivery to my house in Hua Hin

[PeteC]

Hang on a second. TC, isn't your wife Thai? I think there is a special category for Thais returning from overseas and bringing their household items with them. I'm sure I've read about this on here or some other forum. Anyone know details? Pete

[PeteC]

Here's what I read. Makes no difference where she's moving from as long as she is a returning Thai National it appears. Also, no time frame after she/you bought a house as long as the shipment is in her name IMO. Pete

My (Thai) wife and I shipped an entire 40 ft container full of furnishings and personal belongings with no problem at all and no duty paid. She had lived in the U.S. for a few years and qualified as a returning Thai national and could bring whatever she wanted that was legal to import and for personal use. We made sure to put the shipment and all the paperwork in her (Thai) name to avoid any hassles.

[Top Croc]

Thanks Guys, as usual, constructive advice. My wife is indeed Thai and although has not spent a lot of time in PNG she will be "Returning". Will advise later how it goes.

When all is delivered and settled I will post an invite to all HHAD contributors for a get together and just maybe a coldie or two.

[Super Joe]

When all is delivered and settled I will post an invite to all HHAD contributors for a get together and just maybe a coldie or two.

Very kind of you Top Croc, the only thing is the football clashes with the rugby that afternoon, so be sure to ship 2no. TV's over

SJ

[Top Croc]

How silly of me SJ, I should have realized that you too follow AFL and Collingwood is your team.

Be good to do the get together on Grand final day. Rugby no worries either.

[bapak]

Same situation as prcscct... Paid no duty whatsoever. Be sure shipment is in wife's name and clear as quickly as possible as storage costs can be a bummer.